Every city or town on Earth has a few urban legends to its name, ranging from spooky to amusing, and London with its many years of history is certainly no exception. In this article, we’re going to share with you some of London’s best urban myths. We hope you find it entertaining and informative.

The Crying Girl (of King’s Cross Station)
This is one of London’s better known modern ghost stories. It all began in November of 1987, when an accidental fire on an escalator killed thirty-one people and trapped many more underground until rescuers arrived
It is believed that this ghost-girl, who is dressed simply in jeans and a t-shirt, was a victim of the tragic fire. She has been seen multiple times throughout the station, always sobbing and crying. Some people have tried to approach this ghost to offer comfort, only for her to completely vanish without a trace.
There have even been incidents where her crying is heard even when the platforms are otherwise empty, and there have also been cases where travelers report smelling smoke coming from the escalator even when none is visible.

The Highgate Vampire
This urban legend takes place in Highgate Cemetery, an old graveyard that has over fifty thousand graves (with about one hundred and seventy thousand people buried their altogether). This legend began in 1969, when a man named David Farrant claimed to see a ghostly figure walking through the cemetery. And his report wasn’t the only one; many other people at the time also reported seeing this mysterious figure moving through the cemetery, and their descriptions matched Farrant’s very closely.

Eventually, another man named Sean Manchester became involved; it was Manchester who first claimed that the strange figure in the cemetery was a vampire; furthermore, he claimed that Highgate Cemetery was that vampire’s resting place. Manchester was also adamant that the vampire needed to be killed; eventually this conviction spread to other local people in the area, leading them to come to the cemetery looking for the vampire, some of them armed with stakes and crucifixes for protection.

Ultimately, David Farrant himself (the man who first saw the figure) was arrested after being found in the cemetery carrying a sharp stake and a crucifix, and after a time the rumors of a vampire residing in the Highgate Cemetery began to die down. The legend never disappeared entirely, though, thanks in part to the fact that no true answer to the mystery was ever found: who, or what, was that mysterious figure in the cemetery?

An American Bought London Bridge

This urban myth is lighter and more fun compared to the previous two we discussed, but no less iconic in regards to London urban legends. In this case, the myth is that Robert P McCulloch, who purchased the old London Bridge and moved it to Arizona to rebuild it when it began to collapse, originally intended to purchase the Tower Bridge instead. These is no truth to this particular urban myth (all parties involved in the original deal assured the world that McCulloch didn’t mix up his bridges), but it still makes for a fun story and an entertaining urban legend.

There’s no denying the fact that London is a capital city with lots of interesting places to check out. Of course, some attractions are more exciting or compelling than others and it can be hard to decide what to spend your time and money on when you’re on a vacation with only a limited amount of time for the things you want to do. With that in mind, we’ve put together this quick article listing some of the best attractions in London. We hope you find it helpful and informative.

Buckingham Palace. No visit to London is complete without taking a tour of Buckingham Palace, which has housed the Royal Family since 1837. Currently, it serves as both the residence and administrative headquarters for the Queen, making it one of the few palaces in the world that still functions as a working palace. Guided tours are available for reasonable prices, giving you a chance to get a glimpse inside one of the most popular and renowned attractions in all of London.

The London Eye. Also known as the Coca-Cola London Eye, this Ferris wheel is one of the most iconic landmarks and attractions in the entirety of London. It has thirty-two capsules (each of which is capable of holding up to twenty-five people), and when ridden it can offer some of the most spectacular views to be had in the entire city of London.

SEA LIFE London. Opened in March of 1977, this aquarium houses over five hundred different marine species from all over the world, making it one of the more comprehensive marine life aquariums not just in London but in all of Europe. Ticket prices are reasonably priced as well, making this a definite must-see for anyone visiting London (especially if you enjoy aquariums!).

Tower of London. Officially known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, this ancient castle fortress sits near the River Thames and is known for its storied history. Originally a royal residence until the 17th century (and also home to the Royal Menagerie until 1834), it was transformed into a prison and execution place during the Middle Ages. These days, a military garrison is still maintained within the Tower. Furthermore, yeoman warders (who live within the Tower and still dress in traditional Tudor clothing), give tours to interested visitors.

Westminster Abbey. Originally built on the grounds of an old monastery and later re-founded as the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster by Queen Elizabeth many centuries later in 1560, this Gothic abbey church is one of the most well-known religious locations in the whole of the United Kingdom. It has functioned as both a coronation and burial site for royal monarchs hundreds of years, and has also hosted at least sixteen royal weddings. If you’re curious to see Westminster Abbey for yourself, there are plenty of affordable guided tours available, both for families and large groups.

When you’re visiting a new city, either for vacation or for business, finding a good place to eat is always one of the trickiest things to accomplish. You’re unfamiliar with the area, after all, so when you pick a restaurant it can be pretty hit or miss. In order to help you narrow down your potential dining options, we’ve compiled this quick article listing some of the best restaurants in London. We hope you find this information helpful for when you need to eat out in the The Big Smoke.

Xi’an Impression. This Chinese restaurant is small and tucked away on a little side street (117 Benwell Rd, to be specific), but still manages to be quaint and welcoming while also offering an excellent variety of delicious Chinese dishes, many of which feature hand-pulled noodles and fresh vegetables.

Westerns Laundry. This seafood restaurant (located at 34 Drayton Park, Highbury East) is reported to be one of the best and most popular seafood eateries in the city. And not only do they have a wide variety of fresh seafood dishes available, they also offer an extensive selection of natural wines.

Delhi Grill. This delightful little eatery (located at 21 Chapel Mkt in Islington) offers a great selection of scrumptious snacks reminiscent of the street foods found in Delhi and Punjab. The atmosphere is comfortable and fun as well, since the interior decoration of the restaurant features bright and cheerful Bollywood posters.

This popular neighborhood restaurant (located at 49 Columbia Rd) is owned and operated by friendly chef Ed Wilson, whose love for cooking is reflected in his incredible menu, which is changed daily to offer delicious seasonal dishes with an emphasis on fresh produce, fresh meats and seafood, and fresh pasta.

Lyle’s. This restaurant (located at 56 Shoreditch High St) is quite popular as well, and puts on emphasis on season British produce while also offering fire-cooked seafood and more meaty options such as mutton and goat. Essentially, their menu focuses on serving traditional and seasonal British dishes that are both affordable and satisfying.

Sushi Tetsu. Despite having only seven seats open at the best of times (the space is regrettably fairly small), this sushi restaurant (located at 12 Jerusalem Passage) is widely popular and considered the best sushi place in all of London. The atmosphere is also always guaranteed to be comfortable and welcoming, since it is run by a friendly married couple; Toru is the incredibly talented sushi chef while his lovely wife Harumi offers flawless hospitality to all of the restaurant’s patrons.

Quo Vadis. This particular restaurant (located in Soho, at 26-29 Dean St specifically) also functions as a private members’ club as well. Originally established in 1926 by Pepino Leoni, it is now owned by brothers Sam and Eddie Hart and focuses on Modern British food. They are known for offering many vibrant and tasteful dishes; one such dish, the smoked eel and horseradish sandwich, is actually so good it was mentioned in a Times Magazine review in 2013 as a “must-have” item.

There are many museums in London (over one hundred and seventy, in fact!) and each of them is definitely worth a visit at least once if you have the time and money to spare. That being said, most of us don’t always have the time or funds available to visit every single museum in the city, particularly if we’re on vacation with a limited amount of time. With that in mind, we’ve put together this quick article listing four some of the best museums in London. It’s our hope that you can use this information to narrow down your options for which museums to visit while visiting London.

Victoria & Albert Museum. The V&A is said to be one of the most magnificent museums not just in London but in the entire world. It consists of about one hundred fifty grand galleries on seven different floors, and showcases applied arts from all around the world. These various galleries house stunning exhibitions of furniture, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, and sculpture that span the centuries. The V&A is also known for having one of the most comprehensive collections of Italian Renaissance sculpture outside of Italy itself. If you are someone with any interest in culture, art, or history, the Victoria & Albert Museum is definitely a museum you should take the time to visit if you are in London.

British Museum. First opened in 1759, this museum has been free to visit ever since it first opened its doors and receives about six million visitors every single year. It features many exhibits that contain discoveries made by British explorers all over the world; some of the most notable items are the renowned Rosetta Stone from Ancient Egypt and the Parthenon sculpture from Athens. The various displays and exhibits within the museum are arranged according to location and historical time period, and there are plenty of guided tour options available if you’re feeling overwhelmed by how much there is to see.

Tate Modern. The Tate Modern is one of the most well-known art galleries in not just London but the entire world. Originally opened in the year 2000, it currently receives about five million visitors every year. The Tate Modern features a vast collection of both modern and contemporary artwork from all around the world, making it one of the greatest collections of international art in the world.

National Maritime Museum. This museum is also entirely free to visit, and features a truly breathtaking collection of maritime artifacts. They have many models, maps, artwork, and other artifacts to view, and the comprehensive nature of their exhibits pretty much guarantees that there’s something for every member of your family to enjoy, whether they’re young or old. There are also various exhibits detailing the maritime history of Britain specifically. Some of these include (but are not limited to) sections dedicated to the history of the East India Trading Company, Admiral Lord Nelson, James Cook’s North-West Passage expedition in the late 1770s, and soldiers who served at sea in World War I.

While there are no doubt plenty of cookie cutter hotels and motels that you could stay at when visiting London, we strongly recommend opting for a different hotel experience if you have the funds available to do so. There are so many stunning and luxurious hotel options available if you know to look for them, and having the right hotel can really work wonders for your overall enjoyment of your vacation.

With that in mind, we’ve put together this brief article listing some of the best hotels available in London with some additional information about why we think they’re so fantastic. We hope you find this information interesting and helpful.

Rosewood Located at 252 High Holborn, this hotel is often named the best hotel in all of London. Formerly known as Chancery Court, this hotel is a five-star luxury hotel that features breathtaking decor and stunning accommodations for all its guests. This hotel was even used as a filming location in the 90s for The Saint and The Politician’s Wife. Originally founded and opened in 2013, It currently has seven floors with a grand total of two hundred and sixty-rooms, forty-four suits, and three restaurants. It also features twenty-four hour valet parking.

The Beaumont Hotel. Located not far from the Brown Hart Gardens at 8 Balderton Street in Mayfair, this luxury hotel is often considered the second best hotel in London (after the Rosewood Hotel). It first opened in 2014 and currently features seventy-three rooms in total (including twenty-three suites and studios). It also features one room created by artist Antony Gormley that functions as a public sculpture. The property also features a twenty-four hour fitness center as well as a spa and salon.It even has a bar and a restaurant!

The Milestone Hotel. Another five-star luxury hotel, the Milestone Hotel is located at 1 Kensington Court, and overlooks the Kensington Gardens. Built first in 1884 to function as a house, this location was converted into a hotel in 1922. It currently has forty-four guest bedrooms, twelve suites, and six extended stay apartments. The level of hospitality here is also quite high; staff will greet guests by name and are also quite accommodating when it comes to special requests. All the rooms and suites also come with free Wi-Fi, fresh flowers, and homemade treats to make you feel welcome.

The Egerton House Hotel. Located at located at 17-19 Egerton Terrace in Knightsbridge, this hotel is known for its unique and individually decorated rooms. The hotel itself is composed of two adjoining Victorian townhouses, which were originally built in 1843. This hotel only has twenty-eight rooms and suites total, but since each room has its own unique personality and atmosphere thanks to the individualized decor it’s virtually impossible to not enjoy a stay here. There are also many amenities, such as flat-screen TVS in every room, bottled waters, and luxurious marble bathrooms. The level of hospitality is also said to be quite excellent, and there is twenty-four room service should you require anything at all.

While visiting London for the first time can an extremely fun, eye-opening, and new experience for people, there are some things you must consider during your trip. Other than what landmarks you want to visit and other tourist attractions, any traveller must think about their dining options and a guide for dining in London is a great resource. London is known for the classy of dining and their multitude of delicious foods. While this guide isn’t meant to be a clear-cut list of the best restaurants in the city, it can give any first-time visitor, or even veteran visitor, a nice of tasty results that you should at least consider trying out. Plus, some of these restaurants feature cool attractions and themes that will make the whole dining experience even better.

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, and Afternoon Tea

No matter where you’re staying in London – whether that be a luxurious hotel in the centre of all the action or even a pleasant rented home that’s a bit further out. Chances are you already passed by some amazing places where you can get you early morning or midday dining started. Though, it recommended that you look at the hours at a few of these places seeing how many restaurants have cut off times where they stop serving certain meals and treats. Listed below are some personal recommendations of the best places to dine during these times.

The Wolseley
The Wolseley is the definition of one of the most classic places to go for an afternoon tea or even a lunchtime meal. The overall atmosphere of this restaurant is elegant, and it features some of the best services you can find in London. However, potential diners should look to book a seat in advance seeing how this place is consistently popular throughout all times of the day.

E. Pellicci

This restaurant is as classic and rustic places to dine in London. Filled with a warmness and a tune of the native accent – you’ll automatically feel like you belong as soon as you walk through those brown doors. Food wise. E. Pellicci is perfect for people who love a big breakfast that is filled with an array of tasty bits. Plus, the tea served there is authentic and strong. Though, don’t be the one person who orders a Starbucks-esque drink unless you want every native to know that you’re a tourist.

Bleecker Burger
If you want a delicious place to each a burger-based lunch, then Bleecker Burger if your place to go. It’ll remind any tourist of a classic fast food place – just without all the extra grease. Plus, the burger place has loads of diverse choices, including their famous Bleecker Black, which features a slice of black pudding if requested. This simplistic burger joint is the perfect place for anyone who wants an easy and delicious London lunch.

Dinner

Just like the day time meals – having an incredibly tasty dinner is just as important. London is known for their incredible dining options and array of dishes that can be enjoyed. So, if you’re still in need of good places to eat then check out some of the most popular places to eat a classic London served dinner.

J Sheekey
If you’re in the mood for a classic London restaurant with a godly menu of dinner time meals – then J Sheekey should be your first choice. Based in the middle of a theatre district, this restaurant gives off a classic and old fashion vibe for every patron who wonders inside. Moreover, despite being in the centre of a theatre district – many of people who visit the restaurant and their bar are quite relaxed so that everyone can feel welcomed.

Tayyabs

Even though you’re in London – that doesn’t mean you can only eat food originating from the area. Tayyabs is an amazing choice for visitors who enjoy cuisine filled with curry, spices, and an array of classic and authentic Punjabi meals. The food is quickly served and the best part of that the restaurant is beside a corner store – meaning that you can always pass through, grab a few drinks, and enjoy your night of easting unique food.

There are many Top Tourist Sites in London, and to celebrate this great city, we thought it rather nice to highlight some of its more famous and valuable attractions. Whether visiting for historical purposes or simple to take in the sights, London is a city not to miss. Now, lets see what it has in store for you!

Buckingham Palace

At Buckingham Palace, you can visit where the Queen of England lives and check out the beautiful gardens and State Rooms in the palace. There is a special exhibition in 2018 that celebrates the Prince of Wales 70th birthday. Buckingham Palace is open to the Public from July 21st until September 30th.

The London Eye

The Coca-Cola London Eye is one of the best places to check out the skyline of London. It has some great views from the 32 carriages each of which carries up to 25 people, and each one weighs 10 tons! You can see most of the famous London landmarks while enjoying the ride with fantastic aerial views of the city and the ride lasts 30 minutes.

Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

The Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour of London is one of the most popular tours in London. You can purchase a ticket that is good for 24 hours, and you can hop on and hop off the bus whenever you like and then get back on when you feel like it to check out more of the city. The sightseeing bus cruises by some of the most famous parts of London such as Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Trafalgar Square, St Paul’s Cathedral, and the Tower of London.

Madame Tussauds- London

One of the best and biggest of the Madame Tussauds museums you will be hobnobbing with many of the most popular celebrities, but of course, they are wax. From Shakespeare to Sylvester Stallone there are impressive was replicas from the biggest figures in the world of entertainment, politics, and sport. You can pose and get pictures next to the wax replicas, and if you don’t spot the Queen at Buckingham Palace, you can snap a picture with her at Madame Tussauds.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the most famous buildings in the world, and you can check it out following the tour led by a member of the Yeoman Warders. You can check out the old palace, arsenal, and house of jewels and one of the most fascinating parts of the tour is the prison and execution chamber, and there is even a zoo at the Tower of London as well.

The Shard

The Shard is the tallest building in Western Europe, and you can see 40 miles into the distance from the top. The Shard’s observation deck is 244 meters up, so you will have no problem seeing some of the top sites in London such as Wembley Stadium, the London Eye or St Paul’s Cathedral. The Shard is definitely the place to visit to get the best views of London.

Kensington Palace

If you want to visit past royalty of England and see how they lived, then you need to head to Kensington Palace. This interesting tour allows you into the royal life where you can see such things as a an exhibition of Princess Diana’s dresses and the Victoria Revealed exhibition to name just a couple.

One of London’s most iconic symbols is the Tower of London. The famous tower attracts tourists the world over, but it is much more than a simple castle from a bygone era. What do you know about The Tower of London? It holds the crown jewels; is haunted, or perhaps it a place of execution? We thought this a great opportunity to broaden your knowledge with a quick piece article about The Tower.

The Origins of the Tower

The Tower of London is a lot older than you might think. William the Conqueror may have built it (or at least a part of it), but long before there was a stone fortress, the Saxons, the Romans and the Ancient Britons before them used the site as a fort. Taking around 20 years to build, William I intended the tower was intended to frighten and terrify the local population into submission.

Medieval Times

It wasn’t until 1240 that the castle’s keep was painted white, effectively earning it the name “The White Tower”. Other rulers continued to build, and the fortress became the de-facto place of residence of the ruling elite in terms of strife. Both Henry II and Edward I “Longshanks” added defensive walls around the fortress making it virtually impregnable for its time.

The Tower also became the home of royal jewels, armaments and prized possessions until the 1800s, and it also held the vast coffers of the English kings and queens. Coins were minted there until 1810, and even today, the crown jewels are held there, protected but on display to any tourists eager to see them, which are most.

When it wasn’t storing luxury goods, the Tower of London also become both a fortress and a prison for its various occupants.

A Luxury Fortress, as well as a Prison

A young Henry VIII hid inside the tower while Cornish rebels waged war against his father, and several kings and heirs have met their fate there including Henry VI, the Princes in the Tower. Other famous occupants of the tower (albeit as prisoners) include Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, Guy Fawkes and Walter Raleigh, Jane Grey, Sir Thomas More, and Thomas Cromwell.

The Beefeaters have long been associated with the tower thanks to King Henry VII allowing them to each as much beef from his table as they wished. The Yeomen Warders (originally Yeomen of the Guard – the King’s bodyguards) still guard the Tower, an honour they have had since Henry VIII personally decreed it over 500 years ago.

A Legendary Place

Many people associate the Tower of London with hauntings. Anne Boleyn is said to haunt the tower (she was buried under the chancel of the chapel after her execution on Tower Green), while Arbella Stuart and the Princes in the Tower are also said to haunt the castle.

Whether you wish to visit it for its history, its architecture or to potentially get a fright, The Tower of London is a must-see piece of history, in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

When it comes to relocating to London, often we are asked to provide tips on how to buy a London apartment. This can come from those looking for their first property, those having difficulty navigating through the many real estate listing companies, while others are simply interested in London apartments from an investor perspective.

So with that in mind, we thought it ideal to provide a list of our top five tips when it comes to buying an apartment in London. We hope this insight will help improve your search for the perfect apartment in what we think is the perfect city.

1.) Location is everything, so too is your budget

While all in search of a London apartment have a budget set aside that they are most comfortable with, it is important to realize that location is a key factor in finding the best apartment possible. This is especially true when it comes to investing, as all properties purchased are a major investment, so location should be considered.

The most popular and desirable areas include Knightsbridge, Kensington, South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill and Chelsea. A few other areas to consider that are up and coming include South of Thames and King’s Cross, and for investors, that is the most ideal as it allows you to buy while prices are low and sell as the demand for the area increases.

2.) Chose a location close to Public Transport

This is a critical step in the process of selection and should be high on your list. The city of London is vast and covers a large area that is covered well by public transportation. Make sure before putting in an offer that you walk around the neighborhood and locate all the points of access for public transport. This will include the subway, buses and availability of quick taxi access.

This is a basic requirement in London, especially when working in the city as traffic congestion can impact travel times. If you are an investor, it is even more critical as renters often do not have other modes of transportation and reply heavily on public transportation.

A great way to gauge the ease of access is to talk to those already residing in the area you are considering, talk to real estate agents and shopkeepers as well, as each will have a wealth of information relating to public transportation.

3.) Freehold or Leasehold – which is better?

Our preference when it comes purchasing an apartment is freehold. It means you own the property completely and do not have to worry about having to sign a new lease down the road. Also, leasehold properties are not as attractive to other buyers should you wish to sell in the future. This makes life a lot easier when that time comes- hands down.

4.) Factor in building and annual charges

When purchasing an apartment, the odds are good that you will have additional costs relating to the upkeep of the building. This, at times, can amount to a substantial extra monthly cost, so make sure to fully understand all costs relating to the apartment you are considering.

5.) Use a Search Agent!

Some buyers think that buying privately will take thousands off the purchase price; then there are others who understand the value of a search agent and the protection it affords should there be a problem when closing on the property. There are many stories of those who purchased privately only to find out afterwards the home did not meet the standards they thought they were buying. Agents are trained and certified and therefore are responsible to you as the buyer; protection is always the best way to go.